totalBarça
Two crutches lean against an empty dugout seat beside a roll of tape and used strapping, while four players in garnet and blue walk out under the floodlights beyond.

No. 11 · 1 November 2026

Six past Alavés and a defence on loan

Barça put six past Alavés with a borrowed back four and still need a defender in January, and the Femení scored eight in Denmark before Arsenal.

Read the issue

Writing about Barça in English since 2009. One dispatch after each round of matches: five topics, the men's team and the Femení, nothing in between.

  1. 01MatchBarça beat Alavés 6–1 to end a two-match slideBarça ended a two-match slide with four defenders out and had the match won by half-time.
  2. 02SquadFour defenders out and January has to fix itBarça's defence is in crisis, and the club has to sign at least one senior defender in January whatever the table says.
  3. 03SquadFlick said what Balde lacks and praised Fariñas insteadFlick had a point about Alejandro Balde, and he should have kept it private in a week when Barça might need him.
  4. 04CultureBarça won five awards and Alexia Putellas the Ballon d'OrBarça had the best night in London of any club, and the biggest award went to their former captain, who now plays for London City Lionesses.
  5. 05FemeníEight goals in Køge and Arsenal still to comeEight goals in Denmark came against a side that offered little, and only Paris FC have tested Romeu's defence in the league phase so far.

La Liga31 October 2026

VenueCamp Nou

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored twice each in Flick's 100th win as Barça coach, with Brian Fariñas making his debut at right-back. Barça are back top of La Liga, two points ahead of Atlético de Madrid.

Champions LeagueUp next

Aston Villa

3 November 2026, 21:00 (Barcelona)

VenueCamp Nou

Who plays at right-back and in the centre, and whether Flick keeps Frenkie de Jong in defence.

Liga F1 November 2026

VenueNou Municipal de Palamós

Kerolin scored twice for her first Liga F goals, and Caroline Graham Hansen and Clàudia Pina added the others against ten players. Barça lead Liga F on 24 points, two ahead of Real Madrid.

Liga FUp next

Madrid CFF

8 November 2026, 16:00 (Barcelona)

VenueEstadi Johan Cruyff

How much Romeu rotates with Arsenal at Camp Nou four days later, and whether Clara Serrajordi's ankle keeps her out.

Segunda Federación31 October 2026

VenueEstadi Johan Cruyff

Álex González scored the winner in the 93rd minute after Arnedo, bottom of the group, had equalised. Barça Atlètic stay top of Group 2 of Segunda Federación on 19 points.

Segunda FederaciónUp next

Manresa

8 November 2026, 18:00 (Barcelona)

VenueManresa

Whether they can win away at Manresa, fifth in the group, after losing at Olot.

The Temperature

The two defeats sent culers straight back to the centre-backs Barça did not sign in the summer, and Alessandro Bastoni of Inter was among the names they brought up. Gavi spending the whole Clásico on the bench was the other talking point. Nobody is worried about the league with Barça back on top, but January has put them in a sour mood.

Dispatch

View all
A Barça player in a garnet and blue shirt stands with his head bowed in the tunnel while white-shirted players celebrate on the floodlit pitch beyond.Two defeats and one leadNo. 10 · 25 October 2026Screenprint-style illustration of a faceless player's legs at night, with garnet, blue and gold echoes of the same stride trailing behind as the boot hooks the ball, while a chalk curve carries the pass toward a teammate near the goal under the floodlights.Nine from nine at La CartujaNo. 9 · 18 October 2026Screenprint-style illustration seen from inside the goal: through the net, a lone player in garnet-and-blue stripes leans against the post with arms folded, while the ball sits in the corner of the net on a mustard-yellow pitch.Eight from eight without RaphinhaNo. 8 · 11 October 2026